Leading a decade-long research initiative with a team of international scientists, Dr. Betsy Read from CSUSM has documented the first-ever algal pan-genome after sequencing 13 strains of the marine phytoplankter Emiliania huxleyi.
Their findings address the alga's ability to survive in diverse oceanic environments, which opens avenues for new research on climate change, global carbon cycling, biomineralization and the design of novel materials with biomedical applications, such as bone scaffolding, implants and periodontal structures.
The phenomenon of a pan-genome, or family of species-specific genomes, is commonly seen in bacteria, but this is the first reported example in eukaryotic algae.
Drs. Betsy Read, Xiaoyu Zhang and the late Tom Wahlund from CSUSM and Dr. Igor Grigoriev from the U.S. Department of Energy's Joint Genome Institute (JGI) coordinated the project, which involved an international team of more than 75 research scientists from 12 countries. The team's research, touted as filling a vital gap in the tree of life, was published in the renowned journal Nature on June 12, 2013.
A small but mighty organism
The third most abundant phytoplanktonic species in the ocean, E. huxleyi is a single-celled organism enveloped by an elegantly sculpted calcium carbonate cell covering. Although it cannot be seen with the naked eye, E. huxleyi forms massive blooms that can be viewed by satellite imagery because of the remarkable light reflecting properties of its shell, which gives the water a milky turquoise tint.
Arguably no other single living creature has such a striking impact on our planet as seen from outer space.
While the chalky fossilized remains of E. huxleyi are prominently displayed in the White Cliffs of Dover, and blooms are often associated with southern coast of England, the microorganism can be found in almost all marine ecosystems.
According to Dr. Read, E. huxleyi is in nearly every bucket of water pulled from the ocean, with the exception of the polar seas. As such, it is the basis of virtually all marine food systems.
Where researchers are headed next
Embedded in the genetic code are clues about the cellular processes that enable E. huxleyi to produce the remarkably elaborate shell-like scales that surround the cell. Identifying genes and proteins involved in this process could lead to the design of new composite materials and devices for applications related to bone replacement, periodontal reconstruction, sensing systems, optoelectronic devices and the treatment of diseases.
"We have some clues," Dr. Read said, "but what makes this more difficult is that proteins involved in calcification are not conserved across biomineralizing species.
What we desperately need in order to identify the genes involved in biomineralization, is a genetic transformation system. Several labs — including my own — are aggressively working on this."
To fully exploit the sequence information and to achieve a complete understanding of E. huxleyi, its biological significance and impact on society and the environment, Dr. Read and her colleagues will next begin to study the products of the genome and define the role of each and every gene, how they interrelate and come together in synergistic networks to accomplish complex functions.
Their findings address the alga's ability to survive in diverse oceanic environments, which opens avenues for new research on climate change, global carbon cycling, biomineralization and the design of novel materials with biomedical applications, such as bone scaffolding, implants and periodontal structures.
The phenomenon of a pan-genome, or family of species-specific genomes, is commonly seen in bacteria, but this is the first reported example in eukaryotic algae.
Drs. Betsy Read, Xiaoyu Zhang and the late Tom Wahlund from CSUSM and Dr. Igor Grigoriev from the U.S. Department of Energy's Joint Genome Institute (JGI) coordinated the project, which involved an international team of more than 75 research scientists from 12 countries. The team's research, touted as filling a vital gap in the tree of life, was published in the renowned journal Nature on June 12, 2013.
A small but mighty organism
The third most abundant phytoplanktonic species in the ocean, E. huxleyi is a single-celled organism enveloped by an elegantly sculpted calcium carbonate cell covering. Although it cannot be seen with the naked eye, E. huxleyi forms massive blooms that can be viewed by satellite imagery because of the remarkable light reflecting properties of its shell, which gives the water a milky turquoise tint.
Arguably no other single living creature has such a striking impact on our planet as seen from outer space.
While the chalky fossilized remains of E. huxleyi are prominently displayed in the White Cliffs of Dover, and blooms are often associated with southern coast of England, the microorganism can be found in almost all marine ecosystems.
According to Dr. Read, E. huxleyi is in nearly every bucket of water pulled from the ocean, with the exception of the polar seas. As such, it is the basis of virtually all marine food systems.
Where researchers are headed next
Embedded in the genetic code are clues about the cellular processes that enable E. huxleyi to produce the remarkably elaborate shell-like scales that surround the cell. Identifying genes and proteins involved in this process could lead to the design of new composite materials and devices for applications related to bone replacement, periodontal reconstruction, sensing systems, optoelectronic devices and the treatment of diseases.
"We have some clues," Dr. Read said, "but what makes this more difficult is that proteins involved in calcification are not conserved across biomineralizing species.
What we desperately need in order to identify the genes involved in biomineralization, is a genetic transformation system. Several labs — including my own — are aggressively working on this."
To fully exploit the sequence information and to achieve a complete understanding of E. huxleyi, its biological significance and impact on society and the environment, Dr. Read and her colleagues will next begin to study the products of the genome and define the role of each and every gene, how they interrelate and come together in synergistic networks to accomplish complex functions.